RESOURCES & POLICIES
At Dixie Pugs of Tennessee, we believe transparency and education are essential parts of responsible breeding. We encourage prospective puppy families to review the information below so expectations are clear and informed decisions can be made before applying.
All documents and resources on this page are publicly available as part of our commitment to openness, ethical practices, and lifelong support.
CONTRACTS & GUARANTEES
Sample copies of our contracts are provided for review prior to commitment.
Available documents include:
• Puppy Purchase Contract (Sample)
• Health Guarantee
• No-Shelter / Return Policy
These documents outline our responsibilities as breeders, as well as the expectations for families who adopt one of our puppies.
PUPPY PROTOCOL & GO-HOME INFORMATION
Raising a puppy is a partnership. Our puppy protocol is designed to support a smooth transition from our home to yours and to help set each puppy up for long-term success.
Resources include:
• Puppy Protocol & Care Guidelines
• Go-Home Preparation Information
• Sample Puppy Home Packet
• Vaccination & Deworming Schedule
• Early Development Overview (ENS & PAT)
These guidelines reflect the care, experience, and intention behind our program.
VACCINATION & DEWORMING SCHEDULE
At Dixie Pugs of Tennessee, our puppies receive age-appropriate veterinary care designed to support a healthy start while respecting how a puppy’s immune system develops. Our protocols are intentionally timed to maximize effectiveness and support long-term health.
All puppies are examined by a licensed veterinarian prior to going home.
DEWORMING SCHEDULE
Our puppies are routinely dewormed as a preventative measure at the following ages:
• 3 weeks
• 6 weeks
• 9 weeks
VACCINATION SCHEDULE
Our puppies receive their first vaccination at approximately 9.5 weeks of age. Puppies do not metabolize vaccines efficiently until after 8 weeks of age, so waiting allows the immune system to respond more effectively.
Our vaccination protocol includes a total of four puppy vaccinations, typically administered at:
• ~9.5 weeks – First puppy vaccination
• 12 weeks – Second puppy vaccination
• 16 weeks – Third puppy vaccination
• 19 weeks – Fourth puppy vaccination
After going home, families are responsible for continuing the vaccination series with their veterinarian.
IMPORTANT NOTES
• Puppies should be seen by a licensed veterinarian shortly after going home.
• Vaccine timing may vary slightly based on veterinary guidance.
• Avoid high-risk public areas until the vaccination series is complete.
• Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations.
NUTRITION & SUPPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Nutrition plays an important role in lifelong health, especially in a breed with specific considerations like the Pug. Our recommendations are based on experience, ongoing education, and what we have found to best support overall health, digestion, skin, joints, and immune function.
While we are always happy to share what we feed and why, families should work with their veterinarian to determine what is best for their individual dog over time.
FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS
Our current recommended foods include:
• Purina Pro Plan Sport – Small Bites, All Life Stages (Lamb & Rice)
• Life’s Abundance – All Life Stages
• Nature’s Select – Cold Water Recipe or High Protein Recipe
SUPPLEMENTS
Our adult dogs receive daily supplements, and puppies begin age-appropriate supplementation starting at five weeks of age.
We currently use and recommend supplements from NuVet to support immune health, joint support, and skin and coat health.
TRANSITIONING FOOD
If transitioning foods, we recommend a gradual change over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset.
SCAM AWARENESS: HOW TO AVOID PUPPY SCAMS
Finding the right puppy should be an exciting and positive experience—not a stressful or costly one. Unfortunately, puppy scams have become increasingly common, especially online. Education is one of the most effective ways to protect families and dogs.
Work directly with a breeder or rescue you can verify and communicate with. While meeting in person is ideal, direct ongoing communication—such as phone calls—is essential.
TIPS FOR AVOIDING SCAMS
• Deal directly with breeders or rescues, not brokers
• Never send money via Western Union or untraceable methods
• Ask for transparency and clear communication
• Ethical breeders take responsibility for the dogs they place
• Trust your instincts
OUR COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY
We share this information openly because trust is built through clarity, honesty, and education. We encourage families to review these materials carefully and reach out with any questions before applying.